Meetford Wood

Meetford Wood is a proper forest walk just outside Exeter, the kind of place where you can actually lose the sound of traffic within a few minutes. The woodland here is dense enough to feel properly wild, with decent paths threading through beech and oak, though they can get boggy after rain so bring decent boots.

It's genuinely good for families with older kids or anyone after a straightforward forest ramble. You're looking at anything from a quick 45-minute potter to a couple of hours if you're in no rush. The beauty is it doesn't require planning - just turn up and walk. No facilities that we could find, so pack water and snacks if you're staying long.

What works well is combining this with either Sunsets & Marshmallows Glamping or Barley Meadow Touring Park, both within spitting distance. You get your woodland fix in the morning, back to camp by lunchtime. It's the sort of place that won't blow your mind with dramatic vistas, but it's solid woodland walking without the hassle of driving far from Exeter.

Historians might find less to get excited about than walkers - there's no particular historical angle that jumps out. But if you want trees, quiet, and a genuine break from the city, this delivers. Spring and autumn are probably best, when the ground's firmer and the light's lovely through the canopy.